Stevenage V Coventry at The Lamex Stadium : Match Preview

23 December 2012 03:01

Stevenage are hopeful Filipe Morais will return for the visit of Coventry.

The Portuguese winger's ankle problem has seen him miss the club's last two games but could make a return for the festive period.

But boss Gary Smith remains without defender Jon Ashton who has been sidelined since September with an Achilles injury.

Smith has had a long time to assess the 2-1 defeat to Crawley after Saturday's scheduled trip to Brentford was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The defeat ended a three-match unbeaten run, which was preceded by back-to-back 4-1 defeats. And Smith has since seen his side drop out of the play-off places following Swindon's 5-0 thrashing of Tranmere.

Darius Charles, Luke Freeman and Patrick Agyemang are options if Smith chooses to make changes to his starting XI.

Coventry are not expected to have any new injury or suspension problems.

Captain Carl Baker returned from a one-match suspension for Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Preston but had to be content with a place on the bench, he will now hope to start at Broadhall Way.

Stephen Elliott also earned his way back into City's matchday 18, but manager Mark Robins opted to name an unchanged starting XI from the team who took apart Doncaster the week previous.

One or two changes could be the agenda against Boro as Robins looks to freshen up following an off day at the weekend.